In the wake of a senseless tragedy, such as the death of Louise Leyland, struck by a cyclist on a Queenston residential street on a clear, bright spring day, demands for action and change are common.

But sometimes such demands need to be heeded, action taken. And that’s the case here.

Cycling is a popular, healthy pastime enjoyed by many in Niagara-on-the-Lake and beyond. Making the journey up to Queenston, or rolling down from the Heights, is great exercise, and the views are beautiful.

But on narrow Queenston Street in the normally sedate village, residents have been warning for years that quiet, fast-moving cyclists – and speeding cars not obeying stop signs – are a potential safety hazard.

As our front-page story this week makes clear, residents say they have repeatedly told the town about the danger and, for whatever reason, nothing has happened.

The Niagara Parks Commission apparently is implicated in this as well, as cyclists are directed through Queenston, off that section of the fast-moving, curvy Niagara River Parkway.

We’re not trying to assign blame to anyone in particular because Leyland’s death seems to have been just a freak, unfortunate accident – and, frankly, we don’t yet know enough about the incident nor the full details of discussions that have been had with political powers prior to now.

But we do know that an 81-year-old woman is dead, her family, friends and the community scarred as a result.

And the 64-year-old cyclist who struck her no doubt will forever live with the memory of the tragic outcome of a Saturday afternoon ride.

Whether warning signs, stop signs, community safety zones, increased police presence, flashing lights, designated bike lanes or some combination of all these (or other solutions) will prevent a repeat of this tragedy, something needs to be done.

And soon – before the warm weather hits and tourists, local cyclists and others hit the road.

When residents of neighbourhoods vocally complain about safety and other issues in their area, it is sometimes easy for the larger community to dismiss and discount their concerns.

But in this instance, the residents’ concerns have been tragically validated. Now it is up to our community leaders to respond and act.